CITIZEN RUTH (1996)
WORLD PREMIERE RESTORATION | 30TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION
Filmmaker Alexander Payne burst on the scene 30 years ago with this scathing satire of both sides of the abortion debate, premiering here in a new restoration. Inspired by a true story, Payne and co-writer Jim Taylor’s script focuses on Ruth Stoops (Laura Dern), a drug addict who already has four children in foster care when she finds out she’s pregnant again. When her story makes the local news, she’s caught between pro-life and pro-choice forces represented by a powerhouse cast including Burt Reynolds, Swoosie Kurtz, Tippi Hedren, Mary Kay Place and, in his last film, Kenneth Mars. They all say they want to help her, but they only want to help their causes, while all Ruth wants to do is get high. Payne’s satirical focus on fanaticism made the film a critical hit. His distinctive take on human behavior has continued to inform later gems like Election (1999) and The Holdovers (2023).
d. Alexander Payne, 106m, DCP
New 4K restoration by IndieCollect, in collaboration with The Criterion Collection and Paramount Pictures.